    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
    [November 4, 2004]
    [Pages 2950-2953]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Global Deployments of
    United States Combat-Equipped Armed Forces
    November 4, 2004

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        I am providing this consolidated supplemental report, prepared by my
    Administration and consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law
    93-148), as part of my efforts to keep the Congress informed about
    deployments of U.S. combat-equipped armed forces around the world. This
    supplemental report covers operations in support of the global war on
    terrorism, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
        On March 21, 2003, consistent with the War Powers Resolution, I
    reported that I had directed U.S. Armed Forces, operating with other
    coalition forces, to commence combat operations on March 19, 2003,
    against Iraq. Thereafter, I included information regarding the
    deployment of U.S. forces in Iraq in reports on Iraq to the Congress
    under Public Laws 107-243 and 102-1, as amended. On July 2, 2004, I
    delegated to the Secretary of State the authority to make these detailed
    reports on Iraq, but I am including information about the deployment of
    U.S. forces in Iraq in this consolidated war powers report.

    The Global War on Terrorism

        Since September 24, 2001, I have reported, consistent with Public
    Law 107-40 and the War Powers Resolution, on the combat operations in
    Afghanistan against al-Qaida terrorists and their Taliban supporters,
    which began on October 7, 2001, and the deployment of various combat-
    equipped and combat-support forces to a number of locations in the
    Central, Pacific, and Southern Command areas of operation in support of
    those operations and of other operations in our global war on terrorism.

        I will direct additional measures as necessary in the exercise of
    the U.S. right to self-defense and to protect U.S. citizens and
    interests. Such measures may include short-notice deployments of special
    operations and other forces for sensitive operations in various
    locations throughout the world. It is not possible to know at this time
    either the precise duration of combat operations or the precise scope
    and duration of the deployment of U.S. Armed Forces necessary to counter
    the terrorist threat to the United States.

        United States Armed Forces, with the assistance of numerous
    coalition partners, continue to conduct the U.S. campaign to pursue al-
    Qaida terrorists and to eliminate support to al-Qaida. These operations
    have seriously degraded al-Qaida's training capabilities. United States
    Armed Forces, with

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    the assistance of numerous coalition partners, ended the Taliban regime
    in Afghanistan and are actively pursuing and engaging al-Qaida and
    remnant Taliban fighters. United States forces also have supported the
    International Security Assistance Force in providing security in
    connection with the Afghan elections.
        The United States continues to detain several hundred al-Qaida and
    Taliban fighters who are believed to pose a continuing threat to the
    United States and its interests. The combat-equipped and combat-support
    forces deployed to Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in the U.S.
    Southern Command area of operations since January 2002, continue to
    conduct secure detention operations for enemy combatants at Guantanamo
    Bay.
        The U.N. Security Council authorized a Multinational Force (MNF) in
    Iraq under unified command in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1511 of
    October 16, 2003, and reaffirmed its authorization in U.N. Security
    Council Resolution 1546 of June 8, 2004, noting the Iraqi Interim
    Government's request to retain the presence of the MNF. The mission of
    the MNF is to contribute to security and stability in Iraq, including by
    assisting in building the capability of Iraqi security forces and
    institutions, as the Iraqi people plan democratic elections and as
    reconstruction continues. The U.S. contribution to the MNF is more than
    135,000 military personnel.
        In furtherance of our efforts against terrorists who pose a
    continuing and imminent threat to the United States, our friends and
    allies, and our forces abroad, the United States continues to work with
    friends and allies in areas around the world. U.S. combat-equipped and
    combat-support forces are located in the Horn of Africa region, and the
    U.S. forces headquarters element in Djibouti provides command and
    control support as necessary for military operations against al-Qaida
    and other international terrorists in the Horn of Africa region,
    including Yemen. These forces also assist in enhancing counterterrorism
    capabilities in Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen, Eritrea, and Djibouti. In
    addition, the United States continues to conduct maritime interception
    operations on the high seas in the areas of responsibility of all of the
    geographic combatant commanders. These maritime operations have the
    responsibility to stop the movement, arming, or financing of
    international terrorists.

    NATO-Led Kosovo Force (KFOR)

        As noted in previous reports regarding U.S. contributions in support
    of peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, the U.N. Security Council authorized
    Member States to establish KFOR in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244
    of June 10, 1999. The mission of KFOR is to provide an international
    security presence in order to deter renewed hostilities; verify, and, if
    necessary, enforce the terms of the Military Technical Agreement between
    NATO and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (which is now Serbia and
    Montenegro); enforce the terms of the Undertaking on Demilitarization
    and Transformation of the former Kosovo Liberation Army; provide day-to-
    day operational direction to the Kosovo Protection Corps; and maintain a
    safe and secure environment to facilitate the work of the U.N. Interim
    Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).
        Currently, there are 23 NATO nations contributing to KFOR. Eleven
    non-NATO contributing countries also participate by providing military
    personnel and other support personnel to KFOR. The U.S. contribution to
    KFOR in Kosovo is about 1,800 U.S. military personnel, or approximately
    10 percent of KFOR's total strength of approximately 18,000 personnel.
    In addition, U.S. military personnel occasionally operate from
    Macedonia, Albania, and Greece in support of KFOR operations.
        The U.S. forces have been assigned to a sector principally centered
    around Gnjilane in the eastern region of Kosovo.

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    For U.S. KFOR forces, as for KFOR generally, maintaining a safe and
    secure environment remains the primary military task. The KFOR operates
    under NATO command and control and rules of engagement. The KFOR
    coordinates with and supports UNMIK at most levels; provides a security
    presence in towns, villages, and the countryside; and organizes
    checkpoints and patrols in key areas to provide security, protect
    minorities, resolve disputes, and help instill in the community a
    feeling of confidence.

        In accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244, the UNMIK
    continues to transfer additional competencies to the Kosovar Provisional
    Institutions of Self-Government, which includes the President, Prime
    Minister, multiple ministries, and the Kosovo Assembly. The UNMIK
    retains ultimate authority in some sensitive areas such as police,
    justice, and ethnic minority affairs.

        NATO continues formally to review KFOR's mission at 6-month
    intervals. These reviews provide a basis for assessing current force
    levels, future requirements, force structure, force reductions, and the
    eventual withdrawal of KFOR. NATO has adopted the Joint Operations Area
    plan to regionalize and rationalize its force structure in the Balkans.
    The UNMIK international police and the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) have
    full responsibility for public safety and policing throughout Kosovo
    except in the area of Mitrovica, where the KFOR and UNMIK share this
    responsibility due to security concerns. The UNMIK international police
    and KPS also have begun to assume responsibility for guarding
    patrimonial sites and established border-crossing checkpoints. The KFOR
    often augments security in particularly sensitive areas or in response
    to particular threats.

    NATO-Led Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR)

        Regarding U.S. contributions in support of peacekeeping efforts in
    Bosnia and Herzegovina, the U.N. Security Council authorized, in U.N.
    Security Council Resolution 1551 of July 9, 2004, Member States to
    continue SFOR for an additional period of 6 months in anticipation of
    the conclusion of SFOR's operations, and the commencement of a European
    Union (EU) mission, including a military component, in Bosnia and
    Herzegovina by the end of 2004. The mission of SFOR is to provide a
    deterrent presence to help stabilize and consolidate the peace in Bosnia
    and Herzegovina, contribute to a secure environment, and perform key
    supporting tasks including support to the international civil presence
    in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
        The U.S. force contribution to SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina is
    approximately 1,000 personnel. United States personnel comprise
    approximately 12 percent of the approximately 8,500 personnel assigned
    to SFOR. Currently, 20 NATO nations and 8 others provide military
    personnel or other support to SFOR. Most U.S. forces in Bosnia and
    Herzegovina are assigned to Multinational Task Force, North,
    headquartered near the city of Tuzla. United States forces continue to
    support SFOR efforts to apprehend persons indicted for war crimes and to
    conduct counterterrorism operations.
        In June 2004 at the Istanbul Summit, NATO Heads of State and
    Government welcomed the offer of the EU to establish a new and separate
    mission in Bosnia, including a military component, and decided to
    establish a new NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo at the end of SFOR's
    operations. This NATO Headquarters, to which U.S. forces will be
    assigned, will have the principal task of providing advice on defense
    reform. The NATO headquarters also will undertake certain supporting
    operational tasks, including counterterrorism and supporting the
    International Criminal Tribunal

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    for the Former Yugoslavia with regard to the detention of persons
    indicted for war crimes.
        I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in all of
    these operations pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S.
    foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive.
    Officials of my Administration and I communicate regularly with the
    leadership and other Members of Congress with regard to these
    deployments, and we will continue to do so.
             Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush

    Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Ted Stevens, President pro tempore of the
    Senate.